The "Shipwreck Room" is just one of many unique experiences visitors can partake in at Wonders of WildlifeWonders of Wildlife

Former Presidents, a movie star, singing sensations, a governor and a the U.S. Secretary of the Interior will join entrepreneur Johnny Morris for the grand gala opening of the Bass Pro Shops founder’s “Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium” in Springfield, MissouriWednesday, September 20. The exhibit will be the largest, most immersive wildlife attraction in the world.

Former Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush will attend along with Missouri Governor Eric Greitens and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke. Music stars Dierks Bentley and Luke Bryan will perform a private concert along with Academy Award-winning actor Kevin Costner’s band.

A number of Costner’s film were filmed in outdoor settings from the ocean to the wild west, including “Waterworld” and “Dances With Wolves.”

Artifacts including author Ernest Hemingway’s boat and personal possessions from “conservationist president” Teddy Roosevelt are part of the permanent exhibit.

Morris, well-known as a conservationist, created the experience as a gift to America and to encourage people of all ages to engage with the natural world…instead of a screen-based one, even if they’ve never picked up a fishing pole.

“Wonders of Wildlife” is a 350,000 square-foot exhibit with 1.4 miles of immersive trails, interactive surprises and 1.5 million gallons of fresh and saltwater aquariums. Visitors can view 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds representing more than 800 species from around the planet in wildlife galleries like the “Shipwreck Room” and “Sheep Mountain.” 4D dioramas give guests the feeling they have been transported, through sights, sounds, smells and climates to some of the wildest places on earth, including the Himalayas and a trek across the African Savannah courtesy of a 50,000-square foot recreation. , and the Arctic – all places Morris himself has visited. A massive “open ocean” ring-shaped aquarium awaits guests – as does an eye-to-eye encounter with a piranha.

Visitors can view 35,000 live fish, mammals, reptiles, amphibians and birds representing more than 800 species from around the planet in wildlife galleriesWonders of Wildlife

Morris marshaled 40 leading conservation organizations to help tell the American outdoor story from the Native Americans to Lewis and Clark and into modern day wildlife management via a celebration of people who hunt, fish and act as stewards of the land. Hunters in America, for 80 years, have funded America’s modern conservation system by purchasing permits.

The grand opening and celebration are timed to lead up toSeptember 23- the 45thNational Hunting and Fishing Day.

Morris founded Bass Pro Shops in 1971 out of the small bait and tackle room in a liquor store in Springfield. After catalog sales, consistent growth and rapid expansion to 95 big-box locations, Morris and Bass Pro Shops acquitted outdoor outfitting competitor Cabela’s for $5.5 billion. Morris also invented the popular Bass Tracker fishing boat and sponsors NASCAR race drivers such as Dale Earnhardt.

"Wonders of Wildlife” is a 40 miles from “Big Cedar Lodge,” the fish camp in Branson, Missouri Morris bought in 1987 and has converted into a full-scale golf and fishing resort surrounded by 3,000 acres of Ozark Mountain wilderness. An all-water sports marina, lodges and cottages on Table Rock Lake, plus a spa, fitness center and countless activities are available, plus a scenic golf course which hosts a PGA Tour Champions event each spring which has included the likes of superstar players Jack Nicklaus, Gary Player and the now late Arnold Palmer- each of whom showed a great appreciation for nature and outdoor activities.

After the grand opening Wonders of Wildlife will be open daily from10 a.m. – 8 p.m., excluding Christmas Day. All-access tickets are $39.95 for adults and $23.95 for children. For more information visitwww.WondersOfWildlife.org